JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum The Mother Road

May have bitten off more than I can chew here - a simultaneous tribute to the Greatest Generation and Route 66.

I wrote this several years ago - but I have this long New Years weekend and nothing new ready to record so I went back and re-did this one just for fun.

This song was inspired by Michael Wallis's book - "Route 66 - The Mother Road". In particular, he had a short vignette in the book that forms the idea of the last verse. The rest of the song is from my imagination of what led up to it.

Is way too long - but then, it's a long road.

I could shorten it by dropping the intro and getting rid of the harp solo at the end. But I'm thinking it just is what it is.

Just sharing really - though I always appreciate any comments or suggestions.

The Mother Road is here:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=377550&songID=8552433

I'll stick the lyric below.

Thanks and Happy New Year

Scott


The Mother Road
(C) 2005 by S.W. Campbell

Born in Amarillo in the spring of '25
He grew up by the new highway, that ran from Chicago to L.A.
And as a boy when the dust bowl years arrived
He helped his dad at the filling station, replacing belts and patching tires

He watched the Okies come and go along the mother road
Pushed by a great depression, cars piled with possessions
And beside the road of Will Rodgers and Tom Joad
He felt the high plains wind, and dreamed of the green San Joaquin

One early December day as he was pumping gas
He heard on the radio that, Roosevelt had declared war and
He lied about his age and by the time a week had passed
He was standing at the bus stop, with his orders in his hand

He watched the miles melt away along the mother road
A solitary strand of concrete, strung across the hot Mohave
And all along the road of Will Rodgers and Tom Joad
He watched as a sleeping giant began to mobilize itself for war

Wounded at Midway, he was home by '43
His prospects somewhat doubtful, he married a girl he knew from school
For their honeymoon they headed west for sights to see
They spent a night in Tucumcari, and were in love by Albuquerque

They watched the miles come and go along the mother road
She sang along with the radio, picked wildflowers outside Winslow
They followed the road of Will Rodgers and Tom Joad
A road he began to sense was one of possibilities and hope

They built a home and family a stone’s throw from the road
And every year was full right up until the traffic slowed
When they opened the interstate the year that she passed on
He boarded shut his station doors with the sense of a job well done

In the Spring of every year he leaves the panhandle and drives
West to San Bernardino, by way of what's left of the old road
He visits children and grandchildren for awhile
But after a month or so his thoughts turn more and more to home

He feels the miles melt away along the mother road
Every year he sees more potholes, his bones have more creaks and rattles
But all along the road of Will Rodgers and Tom Joad
He drives along with the windows open, pulls off in Arizona and
picks wildflowers by the road
picks wildflowers by the road

It's John Steinbeckian -- well not really -- if it was John, the verses would have been much longer.

What a story! It had me reading along all the way through. Loved the line "They spent a night in Tucumcari, and were in love by Albuquerque". It's a classic and the instrumentation is spot on.
Song storytelling at its best!

Kevin

Love it. My neighbor in arkansas was one of them okie's from that generation.worked in calif in the fields. He got gut shot in wwii. He's passed now, really miss him.

Good story. A good story song can't be too long. Enjoyed it.

Scott,

Super! Ben said it far better, and in fewer words, than I could have. So, refer back to Ben's comment as this point!

Alan

PS: I've spent the night in Tucumcari twice!

Hi Scott,

This is the shortest 6:30 minute song I've heard in a long time! I thought in a couple of spots the phrasing was a little awkward, maybe too wordy but it's such a well told story overall. If you do cut something, don't let it be the harp. It so belongs in there.

Ricki

I grew up near route 66, at the California end. I love the story your song tells. I appreciate the internal rhyme in so many of your lines and , as an English teacher, though Steinbeck is not my favorite, I appreciate the literary allusions. My only problem is the words you have accented awkwardly to make your rhythm fit. You "put the em PHA sis on the wrong syl LAB le." Your song is still echoing in my mind as I write this, so it is a keeper!

Scott

Its took years for that road to come and go a six minute homage is not to long, I ejoyed listening, and I always love to hear The San Joaquin Valley mentioned in a song, I love this Valley. Thanks for writing and sharing this tune


Paul Gaines AKA Shooter

Hi Scott,

That was the best 6.30 I've ever listened too. Great story, and I wouldn't change a thing, except practice singing it a bit more, you have a great voice, great song, and I reckon you can sing it better hah. This song is worth working on, I love it, you've got a style that would stand out in any crowd Scott.

Hugs Michele

Hey Pal,

Too much to love about this both lyrically and musically to go into specifics. A real toe tapper and picturesque imagery in the lyric. I wish I could write something like this. Your best work perhaps in my opinion and that's saying something. Love the covers you've done recently but this beats them all in every way. My new favorite song. Jeez, I just can't say enough. I've never been able to write anything to touch this Scott.

Steve

I have a question (hope it doesn't sound stupid)...how did you achieve the harmonies? Did you do them seperately or use a device to automatically get them? Sorry everyone, I'm a moron!

I liked this story so much and the imagery.

Thanks Kevin - glad the story worked for you. That line too. Thought it might come across as hokey - though I've known couples like that

Scott

Sounds like he had some experiences, alright.

At one time I just thought that generation was lucky - that they were just born at the right time. Lately, I've concluded that, no, they really were a heroic generation.

Thanks Louis

Scott

Thanks, Ben. I like long story songs myself but I try to keep 'em shorter - mostly because the shorter they are, the better chance I have of not making a mistake

Scott

Hey Alan:

I've been through there but didn't spent the night. I'd like to live in a place with a name like Tucumcari. There are a lot of towns with cool names in Florida - but I live in Lakeland. Then again, some of those cool names might translate to something like "Lakeland"

Glad you enjoyed this - Happy New Year to you and Helen.

Scott

Hi Ricki:

I probably wouldn't cut out the harp - was too much fun to play it.

You have a good point on the phrasing - as Pam (post after yours) noted, there are a number of places where the stress is on the wrong syllable. I'm a bit more careful about that now than I was then

I'm glad it didn't seem horribly long - I tried to keep things moving along

Scott

Hi Pam:

Yeah, you're dead on regarding the emphasis in the phrasing. I could probably reword most of them to eliminate the problem - although the Albuquerque line will present a challenge

Glad it had a bit of staying power for you and that you liked the story. Now I'm anxious though - knowing that an English teacher is reading something that I write.

Thanks for the comments, Pam!

Scott

Thank-YOU, Paul. When I was a boy, my family drove part of that road - still have images of all the Americana in my mind.

Appreciate it!

Scott

Thanks Aussie Girl

Almost didn't post this because, at six and a half minutes, I felt like I was imposing on folks...

Probably is the opposite problem though - that I've sung it too much instead of not enough. Now all the phrasing is stuck in my head

Still, I might take a crack at smoothing it out - since the muse seems to be on vacation at the moment anyway.

Thanks Michele - and Happy New Year!

Scott

Really glad this worked for you, Steve - but you've written much better stuff. It's all in the ear of the beholder.

Yeah, I tried to do it at a pretty good clip - lotta words. Even as is, I still think the changes (in the characters) from V3 to the bridge are a little abrupt. Might be okay - if it was another verse it would really stick out but because it's a bridge, maybe folks expect a bit of a change.

Thanks Pal

Scott

Hi Polly:

Glad you liked the story.

I record the harmonies separately. Is one of my favorite things to do - working out harmony parts. The types of songs I've been posting lately don't have many but, at one time, everything I posted was pretty loaded with harmony parts.

I've quit doubling my main vocals but still double all of the harmony parts - actually seems to help to keep them in the background. Though I admit that sometimes I mix them too loud.

Thanks Polly!

Scott

Hi,

THIS song is ONE of the reasons I'm a fan of yours.
Very nicely done Scott.

all the lyrics are nice but this is great...
"He watched the miles melt away along the mother road"


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Hi Scott

I haven't had the pleasure of traveling that route yet -- but I do hope to. I love 6 min songs when they are just simply great ! Nice story - Great song.

My favorite line is the same as Calvin's. And as you go here -- what ever you do to smooth the lines will be worth the efforts. I'm convinced that our songs need redoing as we gain skills and grow - so we can gradually make each on shine a bit more. Perhaps when our muses take a vacation it's exactly what we are suppose to do. ; )

jm

Hi Scott,
Great storytelling song. I really got into it. Harmonies sounded great. Good job Scott.
Steve

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=642220

It's long almost epic..lol but I was never bored, it kept my
attention throughout and I usually have a short attention span,
in fact listened several times, great story, great song,

Tony.

Holy Cow Scott, Holy Cow is this great !!!!
Wow, I love this song ... awesome job ....

Dan

WOW Scott, Too much good stuff to say, for it to fit here.
Listened several times, can't get enough Thanks for sharing...Gus

Great Scott! I loved the lyrics, the music, and your voice.
One of the best I've heard on this board.


redwing

Scott, I lived in Tulsa for 5 years just a couple of miles from Rt.66. In town it's S.11th st. If I remember right, it turns into Southwestern Blvd. after the bridge on the Arkansas river. Then it goes past the oil refineries. They keep a lot of the historic buildings and road signs preserved.

You're too kind, Calvin.....

But I surely appreciate it.

Thanks,
Scott

Interesting theory about the muse, Joice. I think you might be on to something.

Yes, I go back now and then and redo an earlier recording. So far, it's always been a big improvement.

I usually have a harder time going back and rewriting but, since this doesn't seem to be wearing people down and folks seem to like it, I'll take another crack at smoothing the lines out.

Thanks Joice,
Scott

Thanks Steve - thanks for letting me know you liked it. Much appreciated!

Scott

Hi Tony:

The length was definitely a concern - glad it kept your interest.

Don't worry though - I'm not going to assume that every song has to be this long from now on

Thanks Tony!

Scott

Cool! Thanks Dan!

Scott

Thanks Gus - really nice compliment that you played it more than once! Cool!

Scott

Hi Redwing:

That's a real nice thing to say - many thanks!

Scott

Hey Ben:

I came within a whisker of moving to Tulsa in 1986.

It's nice to see that there are preservation efforts going on - there is a lot of Americana on that road. When I was a boy, my family drove long stretches of it on two trips to California. I've only been on bits of it since - near Amarillo and Winslow.

Scott

Scott,

Great story. Wasn't long at all. My dad grew up near Albuquerque and to this day he kicks himself for not saving some of the old Route 66 signs when they were torn down.

In a few spots I had to read to understand the lyrics clearly. Might want to work a bit on clarity in the mix since your lyrics are always so good. Also even out the vocal a bit, there are parts where you sing quieter so it's harder to make out the words.

Great work!

..ant

Hi ant:

Glad the story worked for you and it wasn't too long.

I'm a little mystified by the vocal on this one - usually I just add some compression and it evens everything out. This time it didn't though. I'm hearing those same spots you are, I'll bet - I'll try riding the faders some.

Many thanks for the comments, ant

Scott

Howdy Scott, I started listening to my download of this again
this morning, & had to bump this so my mom & sister could find
it to play it. If someday I can even come close to writing a story song as complete and masterfully done as this, including
the arrangment and every thing. I will feel I have truely
accomplished some thing..........Thanks for sharing.......Gus

Just noticed this got bumped.

Many thanks, Gus for the compliments!

I hope your Mom and Sister liked it.

Scott

Nice rhythm in the song.
Enjoyed the listen Scott.

Scott,
I beleive you already know what to do with this. "Smoothing out the lines".
Really enjoyed listening to this.
Take care,
kyrk

Thanks Scott!

Scott

Thanks kyrk. Glad you enjoyed.

Yeah, I'm on it

Scott

Eeeha
This is so cool. I have to saddle up and find my whip
Scott, I really enjoyed the listening.
Keep up the good work!!!
All the best
Jan

Hi Scott, Pretty cool. Nice groove. This is really ambitious. I love the story and the lyrics. Your voice sounds fantastic on this. Perfect.

There's lot of spots where the phrasing isn't conversational and you accent the 'wrong' syllable etc. That's my big nit, but I figure you'd have to do a new tune with a more flexible melody to fix it. Something to think about though. I also think you should scratch the intro. I personally don't think it adds or is needed.

Really good work overall. Very enjoyable.

Peace,

Ian

Hey Jan:

Cool! Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks
Scott

Hey Ian:

Thanks!

Yeah, the phrasing isn't right in places. I don't want to mess with the melody but I think I can fix many of them by adjusting the lyric. For instance, from

They followed THE road of Will Rodgers and Tom Joad

to

The drove the ROAD of Will Rodgers and Tom Joad.

Thanks for a nudge in the direction of actually putting some work into it. And thanks for weighing in on the intro.

Scott

Scott,
this should be a long song. Good tale well told.

have fun,
John